Pipe wrench



May 22, 1.923. amas) G. D. BECKER PIPE WRENCH Filed April 1922 zz 7 1E Gwme Patented May 22, 1923.

NET STATES GEORGE I). BECKER, OE SAGINAW, MICHIGAN.

/ PIPE WRENCH.

Application filed April 5,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE D. BECKER, a citizen of the United States. residing at Saginaw, in the county of Saginaw and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pipe Wrenches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in pipe wrenches, and an important object of the invention is to provide a pipe wrench where by pipe may be handled without marring the surface thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pipe wrench which may be employed for engaging a flanged section of pipe to rotate the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be employed under conditions where the working space is very small.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple in construction and operation, durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

These and other objects I attain by the construction and arrangement shown in the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pipe wrench constructed in accordance with my invention showing the same in the closed position;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the wrench in the open position;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the wrench in. the closed position; c

Figure 4: is aside elevation showing bushings applied to the jaws of the wrench;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure i.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numerals 10 and 11 indicate segmental clamping jaws pivotally connected together, as at 12, and adapted to substantially encircle a pipe when in closed position thereabout. These jaws are provided in their working faces, or those faces thereof 1922. Serial No. 549,708.

adapted to engage against the pipe, with longitudinal grooves 13 for the reception of any flange which may be formed upon the pipe. To the jaw '10 is secured a handle member 14: and the aw 11 has formed upon the outer surface thereof a hook lug 15. To the handle member 14: is pivotally connected a second handle member 16 which is in the form of a bell crank lever of the third order, and has pivotally connected thereto at the angle thereof, as at 17, a link 18 having an opening 19 for the reception of the hook lug 15.

In the use of my device the segmental clamping sections 10 and 11 are placed in position about the pipe and the link 18 engaged with the hook lug 15 and the handles moved toward one another, tending to draw the free end of the section 11 toward the free end of the section 10 and binding these sections firmly upon the surface of the pipe. The sections are free from serrations and accordingly the pipe is in no way injured thereby duringthis clamping action, and the clamping action is sufficiently strong to permit engagement or disengagement of the threads of the pipe section by movement of the wrench. If the pipe be provided with flanges which interfere with the working space, not providing a suflicient space for the closure of the clamping members upon a plain surface thereof, the jaws may be clamped about this flange, the flange engaging in one of the grooves 13 thereof. If desired, the jaw 11 may be provided at the pivot thereof with a ing 21 which extends into the path of a piece of pipe entering the jaw 10 when the jaw 11 is in the open position so that this lug 21 will be engaged by the pipe and automatically swing the aw 11 to the closed position.

In order that the wrench may be employed with pipe of varying sizes, I further provide bushings 20 formed in segments adapted to coact with the segmental sections 10 and 11 and having upon their exterior surface ribs 21 coacting with the grooves 13 of the sections. When it is desired to remove or attach a length of pipe of a size smaller than that normally taken by the wrench, the proper size bushing is employed and the clamping effect is maintained exactly as if the wrench were constructed for use with pipe of this size.

From the foregoing it is believed to be obvious that a pipe wrench constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for the use for which it is in tended by reason of the fact that the relatively small size of the aws permits use of the wrench in restricted quarters and for the reason that a plain or flanged pipe may be grasped by the wrench without injuring the surface thereof, a desirable feature when handling finished pipe. It will furthermore be obvious that the construction as hereinbefore set forth is capable of some change and modification without materially departing from the spirit of my invention .and I accordingly do not limit myself thereto except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

A pipe wrench comprising a pair of segmental clamping sections, one of which is provided with a handle, a second handle pivotally connected to the first named handle, means connected with the second named handle and adapted for engagement with the other of said sections for drawing the free end thereof toward the free end of the first named section, the working faces of said clamping sections being longitudinally grooved, and interchangeable bushings for said sections embodying ribs removalbly engaging in the grooves thereof, said grooves affording spaces receiving the flange ofa pipe during engagement of the working faces of the wrench with the pipe. I In testimony whereof I hereunto affix Inf signature.

- GEORGE D. BECKER 

